Advice for first time parents

 The Importance of Bonding, and Touch; Advice for First-Time Parents Fist time parents are in for the experience of a lifetime! You have gone through the thrilling and heroic experiences of labor and delivery after enduring nine months of pregnancy, accumulating a wardrobe of maternity clothes, hosting baby showers, and meticulously decorating the nursery. You are ready to leave the hospital to begin your new life as first-time parents! Handling the First-Time Parent Jitters For many first-time parents, bringing a baby home from the hospital is an exciting experience mixed with apprehension. Silent questions such as How will I know<, How will I cope, and But, what if mingle with exuberant joy as you look down at the precious bundle sleeping in your arms. Youve got the first-time parent jitters! Not to worry! Siblings and friends with children, parents, and in-laws have been waiting for this moment, too. They will offer expert advice on feeding, diapering, and proper baby care. Books galore are also available, written by baby doctors and psychologists offering guidance on parenting, and the latest in child development research. When it comes to reading material, be prudent about book selection. And, dont be afraid to set down boundaries on visiting times for over-eager friends and relatives. While you can learn proper baby care from the expertise of others, you and your spouse also need time alone with your baby, to bond. Bonding with Baby More frequently than not, bonding with baby will include touch. This is important, because it is through touch your baby will come to know you. Cradling your baby in your lap, and gently stroking him or her is the most basic form of bonding between baby and parent. Nestling the newborn at your neck is another bonding-touch that provides baby with a sense of security. Support the babys head and neck with one hand, and his or her bottom with the other. Forget the old wives tale that holding a baby too much will spoil the child. Yes, it is true a baby should not be picked up each and every time they cry. As long as they have been adequately fed, are clean and dry, warm and comfortable, a baby does need to learn there are times when they should rest, or entertain themselves. However, quiet moments alone with baby without distractions are necessary to form the emotional connection between parent and child, essential to a healthy attachment. An important bonding process noted by pediatricians in the late 1970s. This process has been proved vital for both parent and child. Parents who form this type attachment with their newborn make better parents. They are better equipped and more willing to make the necessary sacrifices to care for their child; during infancy as well as through childhood. Children who are given the benefit of gentle touch from their parents feel loved and safe. This sense of well-being impacts both their emotional growth and physical development. The Importance of Touch The importance of touch - gentle, loving contact when holding your baby, cannot be emphasized enough. When dealing with a newborn, rough handling and excessive jostling have the potential to both frighten your child and put their life in danger. Always be careful to support your newborns head and neck when you pick them up, or lay them down. If you need to wake your newborn, you shouldn't shake or jostle them. Instead, gently tickle their feet, softly blow on their cheek, or tenderly rub the side of their head while speaking softly and saying their name. Relish time with your baby. Gently cradle him or her in your arms, and tenderly rub his or her back using slow, wide circles. Or, caress your baby soothingly as you rock them. Talk in a low, comforting tone, or quietly sing to them. When eye contact is made smile, even if you aren't sure whether or not their eyesight has developed enough yet to see clearly. At Savvy Baby Gear.com we care about you and your child! We provide the best baby-related products, tools for child development, and articles of interest to parents of young children because of this. While it is true the importance of proper baby care (bathing, adequate nutrition, a safe, clean environment, play and nap time, and comfortable, warm clothing) cannot be over emphasized, neither can the healthy-bonding process between parent and child and the importance of touch. Both vital ingredients that say, You are loved!

It gives your newborn the nutrition he or she needs and helps them form healthy habits that could affect their health in the future. Since baby formula is your baby's first introduction to milk, it's critical to ensure a positive first impression. When picking out baby formula, you'll want to make sure it's safe and comes from a reputable manufacturer. A company that has been in operation for a long time is more reputable than one that isn't as well-known. Take special care to inspect the outside packaging of any baby formula you buy. It must not be broken, cracked, or leaking in any way, which is critical. If the baby formula has a lid that can be removed, it's important that the seal doesn't break or look like it was tampered with. You should not only avoid purchasing the food if any of these signs are present, but you should also notify the manager so that the product can be removed from the shelf. Another important tip to purchasing baby formula is to check the expiration date on every package prior to purchasing or feeding your baby.  Verify that the product's expiration date has not passed before making a purchase at the grocery store. If you frequently buy a lot of baby formula, you should always double-check the food's expiration date before giving it to your child. Because weeks and months can sometimes pass quickly, it is critical to ensure that your baby formula is still fresh. The manufacturer often recalls baby formula for a variety of reasons. The best way to stay up to date on these recalls is to watch the local news, read the newspaper, and even frequently check the manufacturer's website for any relevant recall information. Simply return your baby formula to the store without allowing your child to consume any of the product if a recall is issued for it. Make sure you choose healthy baby formula because it plays such an important role in your child's growth and development. You can refer to the packaging guidelines for additional preparation instructions and how to save the remaining product for later use because feeding instructions vary by child's age. This information will differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, so always check the label for more information.